Adult Autism Service - Northern Trust

You may be concerned about yourself or a family member and worry that some of your/their difficulties in life may be linked with ASD. Some people with ASD grow up without ever being diagnosed, sometimes through choice. However, getting a diagnosis as an adult can often help people with ASD and their families understand their issues and work out what kind of support they need to improve their life. Some adults who are concerned about ASD may already be involved with Mental Health Services, Learning Disability Services, Physical Sensory Disability Services (core services) or you may currently receive no other health services. This section of the website aims to give you the information you need on the assessment process, what happens after and the support available to an adult and their family if an ASD diagnosis is made. If you have concerns about yourself or a family member and haven't done so already, you should firstly speak to your GP, Social Worker or other professional. They will make a referral to the Northern Trust's Adult ASD Diagnostic Service. Adult ASD Diagnostic Service The Adult ASD Diagnostic Service is a Trust wide service for adults who experience difficulties in their lives linked with ASD. The service aims to help people identify and understand their difficulties and find helpful ways of coping. In line with the Regional Autistic Spectrum Disorder Network (RASDN) “Autism Adult Care Pathway” the Adult ASD Diagnostic Service aims to: Provide and deliver a high quality assessment and diagnostic service for adults where concerns regarding ASD have been identified Give support to adults with a diagnosis of ASD and their families Support professionals within the Northern Trust who are working with adults with ASD The Adult ASD Service is made up of staff from a number of professional backgrounds, providing a range of knowledge and skills. The team includes: Clinical Psychologist Speech and Language Therapist Occupational Therapist Consultant Psychiatrist Mental Health Nurse Intervention Therapist There are two strands to the ASD Diagnostic Service: non learning disability and learning disability. All referrals are processed through the Northern Trust's Community Mental Health Teams (CMHT) / Learning Disability Services and appointments are offered on a chronological basis across the Trust.